Midfielder Clucas and Lazar Markovic scored to give the Tigers a precious win, despite the hosts having Oumar Niasse sent off in the 25th minute.

While 18th-placed Swansea ended their six-match winless run with victory over Stoke, Clucas believes the manner of Hull’s triumph will have been a setback for the Welsh club.

“You have players that travel to games that aren’t involved and they’ll have looked at our game, with us down to 10 men, and they’d have been buzzing to be leading,” said Clucas. “In the end they’re probably gutted but so are we a little bit because it would have been nice for a result to go our way to make it more comfortable.

“That’s how the Premier League goes and it’s going to be a tight finish.”

When asked if Hull’s win meant more than Swansea’s, Clucas said: “I think so yeah, just because of the situation.

GETTY

Marco Silva's side picked up a crucial three points with Swansea also winning

“But we’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves. It’s nice to have it in our hands.”

Hull have taken 19 points from 21 available at home since boss Marco Silva arrived in January and the manager has now gone 41 matches since losing a home league match with his past four clubs.

Silva’s record looked in peril when Niasse was controversially sent off for a foul on M’Baye Niang.

The Hull striker’s boot was high but it looked a harsh decision by referee Robert Madley.

Clucas said: “It was definitely a free-kick, maybe a yellow at the most. But the player’s reaction overdid it.

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“I saw him pull his sock down and there was no mark on his leg, so it can’t have been that bad. Maybe the ref took his scream into consideration a little bit.”

Hull were indebted to goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic for keeping them level with two key saves to deny Sebastian Prodil and Etienne Capoue.

Silva’s side kept their shape and edged ahead courtesy of a searing counter-attack.

Kamil Grosicki crossed for Lazar Markovic, who finished at the second attempt after his header came back of the underside of the bar.

The Tigers’ nerves were settled nine minutes later thanks to a wonderful strike from Clucas.

Jose Holebas could only half clear Grosicki’s corner and Clucas was on the edge of the box to control and volley home.

“I used to play up front when I was younger and scored a few decent goals but that’s certainly my best as a professional – to do it in the Premier League at such an important time,” said Clucas., “It was a great feeling. As soon as I hit it, I knew it was going in.”

Mid-table Watford reached 40 points last week and are almost certainly safe from relegation.

But midfielder Capoue said the Hornets cannot afford to switch off.

“The league is not finished for us,” said the French midfielder. “We need to improve and prepare for next season as well. If you play well, you have the chance to play next season as well and everyone wants the chance to play in the Premier League.

“We are not happy to get 40 points because we know we can get more. We want to finish as high as possible and we will try.”